The Battle of Stono Ferry

From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.

An officer in Lincoln’s army gives the following account of this battle:—”General Lincoln having received such intelligence of the intention, strength, and position of the enemy, as rendered it advisable to attack them at Stono ferry, did so with great vigor this morning, about seven o’clock. They were advantageously posted, and covered by three strong redoubts, and a well-constructed abattis supported by several pieces of artillery. The picket having been driven in, the attack began on the right, which was instantly continued through the line. A large body of Highlanders sallied out on the left of the Americans, but were soon driven into their redoubts with considerable slaughter. The action continued without intermission fifty-six minutes, when, as the general could not draw the enemy out of their lines, (which were so strongly constructed that the American light field-pieces could make no impression upon them,) as the force of the enemy was much greater than had been represented, and as they had, during the engagement, obtained a large reinforcement from John’s Island, the American troops were withdrawn from the lines, and all their artillery and wounded brought off. Their loss is inconsiderable. Many of the wounded are already on duty, and most of the rest, (their wounds being slight,) it is judged, will soon recover. The enemy’s loss is supposed to be much greater, as the number of their dead were reckoned on the ground; and it is observed that their field-pieces were several times left without a man to work them. Upon the whole, though the Americans had not the wished-for success, they are convinced that they would have beaten the enemy if they had quitted their lines. It is probable from the enemy’s sticking close to them that they were of the same opinion.”¹

¹ New York Journal, August 2.